UPDATE 1/24/25: We have another update to Sapphire Point. Have you noticed a theme here yet? Dillon Ranger District is stating that the site will be closed June 2 through 20 to facilitate parking lot rennovations. They are also asking that couples interested in an event there to please reach out to the Dillon Ranger District at 970-468-5400 for the most current information.
UPDATE 1/20/25: Though Sapphire Point is now open for booking, there is construction scheduled for September & October of 2025. Fall can be some of the most beautiful times of year for weddings in the Colorado Montains, so I ope that this guide will help you find alternate locations. UPDATE 11/25/23: It was over three years ago when I first wrote this article in response to COVID shutdowns. Back in April of 2020, we had 60 couples booked for micro weddings, about half of whom had been planning Sapphire Point Overlook wedding. Throughout the summer of 2020, Sapphire Point maxed-out at 10 people total including vendors. Since many of our weddings were around 20 people (give or take), I scouted and found alternate sites in Summit County for couples to have outdoor ceremonies Fast-forward to today: the Dillon Ranger District (part of the Wind River US Forest Service), who manages Sapphire Point Overlook, has announced that they will be conducting intermittent construction in 2024/25. They do not know specific dates, and they have also closed the reservation system (as of 11/22/23). This naturally puts a spin on planning 2024/25 weddings at Sapphire Point. There have been no clear plans announced as to what dates will be possible for weddings and when/how booking the overlook will become available. The National Forest Service does have a website in which they will be announcing future plans. But for now, if you have your heart set on a Sapphire Point Overlook wedding, here are several different ways in which you can approach it. I'd be happy to work with you in designing logistics for a Summit County wedding (considering Plan A and Plan B) with my intimate wedding package.
⬇️ Summit County Micro-Wedding Spots that are NOT Sapphire Point ⬇️⬇️ Original article from May of 2020 ⬇️Hundreds of couples received alarming news last Thursday regarding the closure of Sapphire Point Overlook, a well-known and popular ceremony site for small intimate weddings and elopements. Though the message indicated that the area may re-open, it is unsettling when planning a wedding. Since we help many couples plan their weddings at Sapphire Point, I took off on Saturday to find equally as beautiful ceremony locations in Summit County to use as “Plan B”. There are other (comparable to a large wedding) affordable places you can officially book a wedding:
Disclaimer: my 8-year-old son was the videographer and all the images are from my iPhone. A professional photographer would have done a much better job. But still, the views are pretty darn amazing! Disclaimer #2: I am unsure of permitting at any of these sites and need to research - some may require no permit if under #75 people (of course our weddings are MUCH smaller), others may require a photography and/or special events permit. If anyone knows, please comment! Finally, if you are planning a wedding as Sapphire Point, I would recommend holding on to the reservation in case it does open. The email states: "If the location remains closed at the start of your reservation, and your reservation falls entirely within the closure period, we will cancel your reservation and provide a full refund.” So, are you reading this the way I am? No harm if you keep the reservation. But, work with your planner to establish a “Plan B”. Here are some of those ideas and sites we scoped out: Loveland Pass Elopement
Tenderfoot-Oro Grande Trail
Officer’s Gulch Elopement Site
Secret Park for a Breckenridge Elopement
Blue Lakes Trail, Breckenridge
Hoosier Pass Micro-Wedding Spot
Montgomery Reservoir
MORE! Small Wedding Venue Downloads ⬇️If you want more information and resources, please checkout these comprehensive downloads that include over 20 pages of my best planning tips/ideas for small intimate weddings, lots more cermeony sites beyond this aritcle, listings of restaurants for post-ceremony celebrations/dinner (good for serving groups), and lodging recommendations. Colorado Micro-Wedding VenuesIf you are wanting to marry in Colorado with an elopement, micro-wedding or small intimate wedding (less than 40 people), I have a great "Getting Started" service which helps you find the perfect micro-wedding site for you! It's basically a written consultation: you fill out a quesionnaire with details like group size, budget, priorities, vision, needs, time of year, guest considerations, etc. Then, I create a custom report for you "off-the-'beaten-path" spots and send it to you with a personalized video message. Yes, planning tips and ideas included! It is possible to have that dreamy Colorado mountain backdrop for your small intimate wedding. Get started today and connect with me! ~ Wendee Getting Started: Site Report
$300.00
We are excited to help you find the ceremony site and locale that will fit best with your needs, vision, and budget! Because often the hardest part to planning a wedding is choosing the date, destination and ceremony site, we offer a brief service to assist couples in getting started.
The $300 payment can be applied toward an Intimate Wedding Package. In other words, this is the first payment should you choose to book the package. You'll receive basic recommendations, and advice for planning a small wedding or elopement. Keep in mind that we try to find “off-the-beaten-path” ceremony sites conducive to small, spirited, scenic weddings (often on public lands); we then recommend restaurants with private dining rooms/area or private chefs for catering at a vacation house. If you are looking for a typical wedding venue or banquet hall that is often advertised, we are not it. If your are looking for something gorgeous, lighthearted, outdoorsy, easy, memorable, personable, yummy and quality designed - then we are totally it!
1 Comment
12/10/2024 11:39:47 pm
This article offers fantastic alternatives for couples planning their micro-wedding or elopement in Colorado, especially for those affected by construction at Sapphire Point Overlook. For couples who are considering a similar intimate celebration in Texas, The Bell Tower on 34th in Houston provides an ideal setting. Known as an exceptional Houston corporate event venue, it also offers an elegant and versatile space for weddings, large or small. Whether you're hosting a micro-wedding or a corporate gathering, The Bell Tower on 34th seamlessly combines luxury and personalized service, making it the perfect venue for creating unforgettable memories. If you’re ever looking to explore options beyond the stunning Colorado landscapes, The Bell Tower on 34th is ready to help you design your perfect day.
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Wendee VezzettiMother, teacher, planner, gardener, mountain biker, entrepreneur, librarian, hiker, snowboarder, reader, chocoholic, trail runner and creative. Wendee has been planning weddings in Colorado since 1995. In 2012, she decided to "go small" and now only plans micro-weddings & elopements with 35 or fewer guests. You won't find a more knowledgable, reliable, friendly, experienced micro-wedding planner. Contact Wendee to get started planning your intimate small Colorado wedding. 🫶🏻 Your Micro-Wedding PlannerI've been planning weddings since 1995 when I moved to Colorado from Iowa. I cut my teeth at Keystone Resort in their wedding department, then then ventured on to planning corporate meetings. But, I kept helping friends and their friends with weddings starting my first full-service company in 2002 (yes - planned the big overwhelming ones). In 2012 with the birth of my son, values shifted and I decided to go small, intimate and meaningful. Please connect with me to make your dreamy, simple mountain wedding come true!
Behind the Scenes of a Micro-WeddingEver wonder what goes on behind-the-scenes of a micro-wedding day? Jaime L. Barba, one of our talented professional photographers, captured me at work ⬇️ from one of our May 2023 weddings in Boulder, Colorado. Enjoy! .... and yes, she does wedding day content creation (a great alternative if you cannot afford videography) for couples as well as photography.
Wedding Day Content CreatorWhat is a wedding day content creator? It’s someone who is there on your wedding day taking pictures on a cell phone (or in Jaime's case, her professional equipement), documenting behind-the-scenes moments, capturing and telling stories, and delivering short-form media content of your wedding day in real-time. Checkout one from our September 2023 weddings ⬇️.
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Custom Weddings of ColoradoColorado's best planner for intimate weddings, elopements and micro-weddings. Starting her event career in 1995, Wendee said "goodbye" to planning large weddings in 2012 and has since been specializing in small weddings & elopements. Based in the Western suburbs of Denver-Bouder, servicing the Central Colorado Mountains such as Estes Park, Winter Park, Grand Lake, Vail, Breckenridge, and beyond.
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